THE N W YORKER any consequence, Mrs. Woods, known to her Texas frIends as Alta, likes to travel with her French maîd and a different ensemble for each morning, afternoon, and evening. To make sure that her costumes arrive unwrinkled, she has them placed on rolling racks, like those seen on the streets in the New York garment district, and transported to her destination in one of her hus- band's trucks. At the hotel, a sample room or similar extensive space is taken for the racks. Awhile ago, she and her husband travelled through Europe in a two-vehicle motorcade, consisting of a limousine carrying Mr. and Mrs. Woods, followed by a truck carrying her thIngs. Later, attending a formal ball in Tyler, Texas, Mrs. Woods, who en joys talking, reminisced about the trIp. As she talked, she occasionally ad- justed her gown, a TraIna-Norell orig- inal made of black feathers, and her white ermine stole, which appeared to be a yar<.l wide and three yards long. "And then Harry introduced us to this French countess, the rich one with the castle and all," Mrs. W Gods said. "That one you should have seen She was loaded, and I mean in every depart- ment." "Not lTIOre than you, though, waS she, Alta r" one of her friends asked playfully. "R un that past me again, will you, please, honey?" Mrs. Woods replied, fondling a diamond necklace too enor- mous not to be real. The Houston millionaire Hugh Roy Cullen used to say, "Jewelry is some- thing people use in order to make out that they're better than other people. It's just plain common. I've taught my children that if they feel like buying some jewelry, they should find out how much It costs and then go out and give that amount to a schoo] or hospital. They'l] get more satisfaction out of it." Cullen's phIlosophy has not won notably wide acceptance among Texas million- aires, many of whom sport an impressive star-sapphire or diamond ring, or among their wives, who apparently get some satisfaction out of helping to support Harry Winston, Julius Cohen, Van Cleef & Arpels, Neiman-Marcus, and Cartier, the five firms that divide the bulk of the fine-jewel business in Texas. \r an Cleef & Arpels and Harry Winston maintain shops in Dallas, while repre- sentatives of Julius Cohen and Cartier make frequent trips through the terri- tory, peddling the ice. All the firms find Texas an excellent market not only for the important stuff but also for tasteful novelties The current favorite in the <iii> ' , 1M IN THE MOOD FOR 55 " -- ,.,. -- ",. '\ "\ w y: . A1Ir\A' e MunSJngwear mingles the shimmer of Lustre Leaf appliques with an exqui- site raised embroidery to fashion exciting new elegance in a whirl of waltz- gown and pei.gnoir in layer on luscious' layer of nylon tricot, delicately detailed with Imported SWISS cording Choose in eggshell with blue leaves, all white or coral shell, 32-38, 29.95 the set. FashionIng the Future 75 th year MUNSINGWEAR INC -Women s and Girls IIngene. sleepstyles sportswear/Women's hosiery/Men's and Boys underwear sleepwear sportswear socks/Hollywood Vassarette@ bras, glrdles/261 Madison Ave, NYC